Probe Split? 'Butt Out!'

QUEENSLAND Minister Steve Dickson wants an investigation into what he describes as "misleading propaganda" that has been distributed with the authority of Noosa Independence Alliance spokesman Noel Playford.

However, Mr Playford said yesterday that the leaflet was perfectly legal.

He said Mr Dickson should "butt out" of an issue that he clearly did not understand.

Mr Dickson said an NIA campaign leaflet had claimed prominently a de-amalgamation would not cause a rates rise for Noosa residents, a claim he described as misleading because Queensland Treasury Corporation had already calculated the cost of a split at $13.65 million - equal to $260 per Noosa ratepayer in the first year and an additional $142 per year after that.

"QTC have gone out of their way, unbiasedly, where they've been knocked over the head by both sides - the antis and the pros - saying their figures for de-amalgamation are wrong, (but) I can tell you now, QTC's numbers are 100% accurate."

BRETT WORTMAN

Mr Dickson has forwarded the leaflet to Local Government Minister David Crisafulli and believes the Electoral Commission of Queensland may need to step in to assess whether it breached election guidelines.

However Mr Playford laughed off the allegation.

"It's not an election campaign, there are no candidates. What a joke. Oh dear, he's a funny man," he said of Mr Dickson and his concerns.

"It's a referendum. For his info, a referendum is not controlled by the Electoral Act."

Mr Playford also strongly slammed the suggestion that the leaflet's claim about no rates rises was misleading.

"No, it's not misleading at all. That's a true statement," he said.

"Steve Dickson should butt out."

Mr Dickson has remained relatively silent on the issue for months, but said he now wanted to ensure Noosa residents were aware of the financial cost of a split to both them and the rest of the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Playford responded, however, by assuring Noosa residents that a rates rise was not a foregone conclusion and would definitely not be caused by de-amalgamation.

"The costs of de-amalgamation will not lift rates. They don't have to do it because the council will be well off financially," Mr Playford said.

"It's the mayor who will have egg on his face in 12 months when Noosa Council brings down its first budget.

"Noosa rates will be lower than for the rest of the Sunshine Coast, irrespective of who constitutes the council."

Both the men are well credentialed to slug it out over the issue - Mr Playford is a former Noosa Mayor and Mr Dickson was a Maroochy Shire Councillor just before the forced amalgamations in 2007.

Mr Dickson at the time was opposed to the idea totally, but has since changed his tune in light of the benefits of pursuing infrastructure and other benefits as a single stronger local government voice.

"We may have been forced together but we are united strengthened body now, and if we go to the state and federal government and we ask for something, there's a good chance we might get it," Mr Dickson said.

While his LNP colleague, Member for Noosa Glen Elmes, has campaigned openly for de-amalgamation, Mr Dickson denied that his opposing stance would trigger friction within the party locally.

"I have the greatest respect for Glen. We are very good working colleagues and that will continue on into the future," Mr Dickson said.

Mr Dickson said he was focused on his views and concerns about the financial costs of a split.